The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your skull and lower jaw. The muscles and tissue surrounding the TMJ are responsible for a variety of motions, including opening and closing of your mouth. Disorders of the jaw and surrounding muscles and tissues are referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders).
TMD is heavily influenced by many diverse factors. Ever hear someone say that they hold their stress in their jaw? There’s something to that. Because so many aspects of life can impact jaw pain, we use a multi-faceted approach for treatment. We use a blend of manual therapy techniques, relaxation techniques, muscle re-education, activity modification, and postural training to treat the TMJ. Because of the proximity to the neck and the rest of the head, TMD can present with a variety of symptoms such as headache or ringing of the ears. We attempt to treat these interrelated issues as thoroughly as possible.
Physical Therapy may help with pain associated with:
- Pain in & around the jaw area
- Clicking or locking in the jaw
- Jaw tightness
- Painful chewing
- Painful yawning
- Neck pain & stiffness
- Headaches
